Wolf under an oak tree.

I was so lost in my thoughts that when I felt a hand on my shoulder, I jumped in fright, and placed my hand on my chest to calm my racing heart. “What happened to you, Iris? You have been acting detached and irritated from the time you came here.” Walter asked me, but I shook his hand from my shoulder and moved a few feet away from him. I don't want to get hurt again with all these fake shows of affection.

“I am perfectly fine, Walter. Now, if you could kindly give me the ring since I still have a lot of pending work to be done today.” I told him with a neutral expression on my face, and my voice came out a bit too harsh, I didn't apologize for my tone, but I know that I was unknowingly hurting Walter, who has all but supported me from the very beginning.

“Well, let's get going then,” he said, and I can decipher that he is hurt, but I don't think I can do anything about it since my life is already crumbling in front of me, and I need to think of something to fix it.

Walter led me towards the last door that was in this hallway, and then he pushed it open to reveal a bedroom that we see in all the luxurious hotels. The entire room was done in white and red with a huge kingsized bed on the far left side corner, and there was a huge bay window that was overlooking the forest ahead, and to the right, there was a white metallic desk with a MacBook and a few pens lying around, and to my right, there were two doors one must be closet, and the other must be the bathroom.

Walter walked towards the desk and opened the drawer before pulling out a small black velvet jewelry box, he came towards where I was standing near the doorway and handed the box to me. “Thank you,” I told him with a softer tone, and he nodded his head. I took a few seconds before I opened the box to see one of the most beautiful rings that I have ever set my eyes on.

The ring was completely remodeled, the red spinel was kept in the center of the ring surrounded by an intricate design of a wolf, and this was one of the most unique designs that I have ever seen in my life. I carefully took the ring out of the box and wore it on my third finger in my right hand.

“Wow, Walter, you have truly outdone yourself. This is very beautiful.” I praised him for his excellent craftsmanship, and I couldn't take my eyes away from this masterpiece.

“Well, I would have been very happy to hear your praises if it was my design and craftsmanship, but unfortunately, I only gave her the design. But she did the rest of the work.”

“Who did this?” I asked him out of curiosity.

“It's Camila’s work. She is the pack witch, who makes all the potions and casts spells around the borders.” and I was wondering if I had heard that name before.

“Wait, she is the woman who runs that old antique shop, right?” I asked him, and Walter nodded.

“Can I see her? I would like to thank her for this?” I asked Walter, and he looked at me with a conflicting look.

“Uh, she usually doesn't like meeting a lot of people, so I don't think she will be willing to meet you now,” he said in an apologetic tone, and I felt my mood dampened.

“But...um, I think, I can try,” he said, and I eagerly nodded my head. “But not today. Maybe some other day,” he said.

“Fine. Anyway, could you drop me off at Elana’s room?” I asked Walter, and instantly his face darkened when he heard her name.

“I don't think it's a good idea for you to associate with her, Iris. She is a bad influence, I don't get it why is Jace still keeping her in this pack instead of throwing her out.” Walter’s words were like poison, and I felt the anger rise within me. How can he think of his little sister that way? I mean doesn't he get it that if she hears this, how hurt she will be?

“That is your sister, Walter. How could you become such a vile person?” I spat in disgust, and he scoffed.

“She was my sister, Iris. The day she betrayed the pack was the day she died. But, I don't want to spoil the mood by talking about her.” he said, and walked out of the room with me in toe.

“Walter, I don't want to upset you today, but we will be talking about this issue some other day. Because can't you guys see the good in her? I don't think she has done anything that you guys are accusing her of.” I argued, which made him stop in his track, and he turned around to face me.

“Do you know that day, she not only tried to kill Jace’s grandmother, but she also made the rogues attack the pack, but luckily, we had it all under control,” Walter said and walked fast towards the elevator.

“She is in Mike’s room, the last door, that way.” Walter pointed towards the left hallway, and then as soon as the elevator doors opened, he got inside and left. While I stood there. I know that Walter is beyond angry at Elana, but I don't think his anger is justified because my gut feeling is telling me that she is innocent.

I put the ring box inside my bag and walked toward Mike’s room. When I reached the door, I took a few minutes to straighten my appearance, and I raised my hand to knock on the door, but before my hand could come in contact with the door, it opened, and Elana stood in front of me with a pleasant smile on her face.

“Hey, how did you know that I was here?”

“Well, there are two reasons, the first one is that since I am a werewolf, I was able to smell your scent.” and my mouth formed into an “o”, why did I forget that? “And the second one was that you and Walter were pretty loud in that hallway arguing about me,” she said, and I can see that her smile wavered when she spoke about her brother. But I must appreciate her for being strong and confident even after everyone has accused her, taunted her, and after being disinherited from her family and garnering their hatred.

Elana is everything that I am not, and I know that she has seen a lot more hardships in life than I have, but she still manages to put on a smile on her face and face the world.